﻿Gratitude Gourmet(tM)﻿

Thanks to the UCCE Santa Clara County Master Gardener Program, here are some Tips & Events, starting with this statement :)

Spring is Nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"--Robin Williams

Straw from the local feed store can be an inexpensive, effective mulchAs the ground heats up, keeping moisture in the soil is crucial for a healthy garden. See more benefits of straw in this article on different kinds of mulch. An added bonus: worms love straw!

Nuture your soil between plantings tooEven if you have nothing planted currently, treat your soil well. In order to keep the soil healthy, it still needs water. You can bury some kitchen vegetable scraps, or incorporate a thin layer of grass clippings (grass clippings that are applied too thickly can create a mat-like barrier) under a thick layer of mulch. Decomposing leaves are a great addition to an empty raised bed.

Be on the lookout for bee swarmsAs the weather warms up, bees are more likely to swarm. If you see a swarm, enjoy the sound and beauty first, then call us at the hotline number below (Monday-Friday 9:30-12:30) or contact the Bee Guild. We want your swarms! Bees swarm for a few reasons, but they are all looking for a new place to call home. Bees that swarm are loaded with food and are not interested in stinging people.

Good ideas for companion plantingThis article from Cornell University's Department of Horticulture will likely interest most of you: companion planting. An excerpt: "plants change the chemistry of the soil, and influence the types of microorganisms that grow there. They actively compete with other plants for space. Some will poison their neighbor's offspring to maintain a competitive advantage, while others change the environment in ways that benefit other species."

Pay particular attention to watering plants after you put them in the groundWhile they will need less attention (and water) once the roots are established, keep a closer eye on the newly planted as the weather warms.

Wait until after Spring and early Summer to trim your treesBirds are nesting right now. The babies often don't survive a fall and many die on the ground. Hundreds of birds are brought to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. Those birds will never learn to sing, find food, or avoid predators. Fortunately, trees respond better to dormant pruning anyway. If you're going to prune, check the tree for wildlife before you work and refer to pruning information (PDF) on the UC Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture website.Plant large-podded peppers in the same holeBy planting peppers together, not only will you get more peppers per square foot, but the peppers will support each other, look lush and beautiful, and protect each other from sunburn. After planting, you also might want to remove flowers and fruit from the large-podded plants the first four to six weeks to encourage deeper roots and more foliage. Learn more pepper tips by consulting our handout on Growing Great Peppers (PDF).

Tomato Planting Time!The ground is warming up and it should be about time to plant your tomatoes. For Master Gardener Tomato Tips, see our Growing Great Tomatoes (PDF) one-page reference! For common problems, consult the UC pest notes on tomatoes. If you want more bees in your garden, plant annuals such as Cosmos or simply allow your herbs to flowerWith few exceptions, fruit will not form until pollen from male parts is transferred to the female parts of a flower. Without pollination, flowers may bloom abundantly, but will not bear fruit. Some plants are better at attracting bees and other pollinating insects and animals than others. Give your fruit trees the gift of an insect-friendly environment and give your family a better harvest! We have a culinary herb event (in San Jose and Gilroy) this month to get you started! North County EventsTips for a Bountiful Harvest of Warm Season Vegetables Saturday, 5/5, 10:00am-11:00am, Free, Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, 851 Center Dr., Palo AltoEver wonder how to increase the size of your vegetable harvest? Learn how spacing and timing of planting, pinching blossoms, supporting plants, and mid-season fertilizing can help.

Growing Cut FlowersSaturday, 5/19, 10:30am-12:30pm, $31, Common Ground in Palo Alto, 559 College Avenue, Palo AltoGet introduced to the best of the best, easy-to-grow flowers with staying power. You'll also learn about plants whose foliage is used as the foundation for many arrangements. Register online or call call 650-493-6072.

Gardening in Containers: Ornamentals and VegetablesWednesday, 5/9, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Free, Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., CupertinoLearn how to grow ornamentals and edibles successfully in containers. This talk will discuss types of plants that grow well in containers, the best containers and potting material to use, fertilizing, and watering.

Habitat GardeningSaturday, 5/12, 11:00am-1:00pm, Free, Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Nobel Ave., San JoseLearn how to create a habitat in your garden fit for beneficial insects, pollinating bees, and beautiful songbirds. You'll learn the basics of habitat gardening, and how to have your own garden certified as a Wildlife Habitat.

Plant Propogation for the Home GardenerTuesday, 5/15, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Free, Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., SaratogaGet acquainted with various types of propagation techniques that can be used by the home gardener including stem, leaf, and root cuttings, layering, and plant division.

Garden Tools and DIY Projects: How to Save Some $$$ Saturday, 5/19, 1:00pm-3:00pm, Free, Sunnyvale Teaching and Demonstration Garden, 433 Charles St., SunnyvaleLearn how to make useful and attractive garden projects with readily available items from your local hardware store and a few tools. We'll talk about some of our favorite tools, and review how to keep them in good condition.

Managing Pests and Diseases in the Edible GardenSaturday, 5/26, 10:00am-12:00pm, $15 ($10 members GRPG), Guadalupe River Park, 438 Coleman Ave, San JoseThis class will teach you how to deal with pests and diseases common in the vegetable garden in the most earth-friendly way by using the principles of Integrated Pest Management (also known as least-toxic pest control).

Controlling Animal Pests in the GardenSaturday, 5/26, 12:00pm-2:00pm, Free, Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa ClaraLearn how to identify what animal pest was in your yard by the kind of damage that was done. Find out what attracts which animals, when and why animals are more active at certain times, and different ways to control them.

Water Wizard at Guadalupe River ParkWednesday, 5/30, 9:30am-1:00pm, Free, Guadalupe River Park, 438 Coleman Ave, San JoseJoin us at this fun event where we'll be hosting an information table - bring your gardening questions or just drop by the Master Gardener tables and say hi!

South County Events"Growing Your Yard" - Attract Birds, Bees, Hummingbirds and Beneficial InsectsSaturday, 5/19, 10:00am-12:00pm, Free, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, 9400 No Name Uno, GilroyA special South County session to learn about the diversity of plants that attract birds, bees, hummingbirds and more to your yard. We'll also define the term "beneficials" in relation to the plants and organisms attracted to them.